Chapter 2 Flashcards
a logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation
science
information we can verify with our senses
empirical evidence
the study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior
positivist socialist
a mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form
concept
a concept whose value change from case to case
variable
a procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific stage
measurement
specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable
operationalize a variable
consistency in measurement
reliability
actually measuring exactly what you intend measure
validity
a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another
cause and effect
the variable that causes the change
independent variable
the variable that changes
dependent variable
a relationship in which two (or more) variables that is caused by some other variable
correlation
an apparent but false relationship between two (or more) variables that is caused by some other variable
spurious correlation
holding constant all variables except one in order to see clearly the effect of that variable
control
personal neutrality in conducting research
objectivity
repetition of research by other investigators
replication
the study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world
interpretive sociology
the study of society that focuses on the need for social change
critical sociology
the personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female or male
gender
a systematic plan for doing research
research method
a research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions
experiment
a statement of a possible relationship between two (or more) variables
hypothesis
a change in a subject’s behavior caused simply by the awareness of being studied
Hawthorne effect
